Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan played three seasons at North Carolina, winning a national title and sweeping national player-of-the-year honors as a junior.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1963 and attended the University of North Carolina under coach Dean Smith. His defining college moment came in his freshman year — with North Carolina and Georgetown tied at 61 in the 1982 national championship game, the 18-year-old Jordan hit a 16-foot jumper from the left wing with 15 seconds remaining to win the title 63-62. The shot launched one of the most celebrated careers in basketball history. He was the ACC Player of the Year twice (1983, 1984) and won the Naismith Award as national player of the year in 1984. He led North Carolina to three Final Four appearances. He averaged 17.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game across three seasons. He left after his junior year — against the wishes of coach Dean Smith, who felt he should return for his senior season. Chicago Bulls selected him third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft. His North Carolina career is famous both for that championship shot and for what it launched — when the ball fell through the net in New Orleans on March 29, 1982, the greatest basketball career in history officially began.

Jordan was an explosive and athletic guard who combined exceptional leaping ability with outstanding court vision and basketball IQ. He possessed a deadly mid-range jump shot and was equally effective driving to the basket with either hand. His competitive drive and clutch performance in crucial moments set him apart from his peers.

Jordan's college career helped establish him as a clutch performer and laid the foundation for what would become the greatest professional basketball career of all time.

• NCAA Division I Champion 1982
• ACC Player of the Year 1984
• Naismith College Player of the Year 1984
• John R. Wooden Award 1984